STAY CONNECTED

 STAY CONNECTED

 

       As I turned the corner on Briar Hill Road, I realized I had forgotten my phone. I shrugged and walked on. When I first started walking for exercise (many years ago) cell phones were not even in existence. We did have those noisy C B radios in our homes and then in our cars. But, at that time, when I walked, I had no connection with the world around me. And it was then I really began to make my most important connection.

     Today’s society has this seemingly intrinsic need to be connected. Texting and Skypeing, Facebook and Twitter are all a part of daily life. And yet statistics tell us that  people today feel emotionally lost and lonely with no real ties to family and friends. Suicide rates, nervous breakdowns and depression run rampant in our culture.

     All of these connecting devices have their use, and I admit that I am also a part of the communicate and connect culture; however, until a person has a real connection with God none of these daily devices will solve our need for connection – to one another or to the world in general.

     I walked on and reflected about my early walking days and decided that I personally connect in three ways.

• ·      Prayer is communication. Many believe that prayer is talking to God. Asking and sharing-if we are honest more asking than sharing-our daily needs and actions. But one aspect of prayer time that we often forget is “Be still.” God tells us to listen for his answers and when we do both, share and listen, we have truly connected.
• ·      Bible reading is the way we listen some times.  And it is also the way we learn. God has connected with us through his son Jesus, and has given us His Word that we might know His will for us. He tells us he has a plan for us, “ A plan to prosper us, not to harm us.” (Jeremiah 29:11) God’s Word has the answers for living in today’s society, but until we read the text, we don’t get the message.
• ·      His church is His people and connecting with God’s people is so important to our link with God. We all have needs that only other people can meet, and connecting with the Church that Christ established fulfills those human needs.

Connection devices such as cell phones and computers give us a feeling of safety and security when we are walking, or home alone, but they can lose power and fail us.  A connection with God never fails us. His power is eternal.  I am thankful that I have this assurance as I walk through life.
Encouraging you to keep walking and stay connected.
Clella